Spain continues to be the place Britons are most likely to search for a home abroad, despite growing hostility in many of the country’s expat and tourist hotspots.
But the newer holiday hotspot of Dubai is also creeping up the ranks, placing in third on the list which is based on the number of searches in 2025 on the property website Rightmove.
Britons are increasingly attracted to the job opportunities and tax-free lifestyle that the United Arab Emirates offers.
The emirate has also been attempting to attract young Britons through property buying incentives and graduate schemes.
Meanwhile, Spanish resorts including the Canary Islands, Malaga, Barcelona and Alicante have all introduced caps or restrictions on new holiday lets, after Spanish locals protested about tourists driving up local rent prices and generally behaving badly.
It means it will be harder for Britons who want to buy a holiday home in the country and rent it out to others when they are not using it to do so.
The good life: France was the second most-popular destination for Britons seeking homes abroad, according to Rightmove. This villa in Cannes was one of the most-viewed online
Last year, Spain also scrapped its Golden Visa program, which allowed non-EU citizens to obtain residency if they bought a property worth €500,000 (about £437,000) or more.
This doesn’t appear to have deterred Britons from dreaming about a place on la playa though.
France, perennially popular with those seeking a slower pace of life, came in second place.
The fourth most popular search term was the Algarve, followed by Portugal in general in fifth place.
| 1. Spain |
| 2. France |
| 3. Dubai |
| 4. Algarve |
| 5. Portugal |
| 6. Italy |
| 7. Bulgaria |
| 8. Cyprus |
| 9. Paphos |
| 10. Alicante |
Joāo Richard Costa, chief commercial officer at the luxury development Ombria Algarve, says: ‘The Algarve in particular is sought-after by buyers from the UK and Ireland but also from the USA and Europe including the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
‘Some buy here for pure lifestyle reasons to benefit from a year-round pleasant climate, access to nature and an attractive choice of towns, villages and cities with plenty of entertainment, cultural and culinary delights.
‘Others, particularly families and retirees, feel that the cost of living and taxes of their home country are having a negative impact on their quality of life and therefore decide to set sail.’
Italy was sixth, then Bulgaria which is becoming popular as a more affordable sun and sand destination.
Patricia Casaburi, chief executive officer, at relocation consultant, Global Citizen Solutions, says Italy is now a target destination for wealthy expats.
‘Italy is emerging as a strong contender for digital entrepreneurs and retirees,’ she says. ‘Its Elective Residency Visa and Digital Nomad Visa cater to affluent individuals with passive income.
‘It also has a flat tax regime which charges €100,000 (£87,300) on foreign income, and family-friendly policies.’
Cyprus was in eighth place, followed in ninth by its coastal city of Paphos. Coming in tenth was Alicante in Spain’s Costa Blanca.
Britons wanting to move to Spain permanently now need to get either a work visa, a student visa or a non-lucrative visa.
The latter is usually used by retirees and requires the main applicant to prove they have a pension, savings or other non-work income of €28,800 (about £21,600) per year. The other member of a couple, or any other dependents, needs to have €7,200
Rightmove also revealed its most-searched properties outside of the UK, with the choice of properties revealing that Britons like to dream about living the life of luxury.
Most-viewed properties outside of Britain
1. Mallorca, Spain – £66.3m
Expansive: The estate comprises six standalone residences, with a total of 29 bedrooms
Chic: The homes have been tastefully decorated throughout and each has its own pool
This newly-built estate is located in Alqueria Blanca, one of Mallorca’s most prestigious enclaves – as you would expect given its eye-watering guide price.
More akin to having your own private hotel complex, the estate consists of six residences which between them have 29 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms.
Each residence also includes a swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna, and most rooms have a panoramic view of the sea and mountains.
The estate also has its own private vineyard, and a climate-controlled wine cellar.
It is being sold by Sotheby’s International Realty.
2. Lagos, Portugal – £23.6m
Private island: The home has a bridge leading to a rock island in the sea
Traditional: The property in Lagos is built on a 16th-century fortress
Located in Lagos on the Algarve, this eight-bed oceanfront villa is located on the ruins of a 16th-century fortress.
It boasts direct access to the beach, and even has a bridge leading from the home, over the sea to the rock island in front of the property.
It has an expansive roof terrace, its own chapel and a garage with parking for two to three cars.
It is listed by Exclusive Algarve Villas on Rightmove.
3. Corfu, Greece – £12.2m
Space to entertain: The villa in Corfu features a large dining terrace with sea views
In nature: The home is located in between an olive grove and the Ionian sea
Nestled amidst a sun-kissed olive grove, this seven-bedroom new-build is split across two villas, both offering panoramic views of the Ionian sea.
It features its own infinity pool, as well as a large dining terrace, landscaped gardens and parking for five cars.
The estate also offers owners the ability to arrive at their home by yacht.
It is being sold by the agent Roula Rouva – Forbes Global Properties.
4. Lombardy, Italy – £152,950
Views for days: The home is a short drive from Lake Como and it can be seen from the balcony
Rustic: This property has plenty of historic features, including beautiful vaulted ceilings
The affordable price point of this historic home near Lake Como sets it apart from the other properties on Rightmove’s list, though it is still full of charm.
Located in the hillside village of Plesio, it features original stonework and vaulted ceilings, as well as a juliet balcony and original wooden floors.
The three-bed home is a 15-minute drive from Lake Como and is being sold by Lakeside Real Estate.
5. Cannes, France – £104.9m
Anyone for tennis? This huge home on the French Riviera has its own tennis court
Venetian: The decor is inspired by Venice, and the home is full of plush features
This sprawling estate on the edge of Cannes on the French Riveria has everything you could need for a home away from home.
The Venetian-inspired villa features 2.5 hectares of grounds which are home to a lake, a tennis court, isolated woods and a large outdoor swimming pool.
Inside, there is a cinema, gym, sauna, hammam, wine cellar and even a night club.
It is listed on Home Hunts SARL, French Riviera on Rightmove.
What about Britain’s holiday hotspots?
Rightmove also crunched the numbers on the most popular coastal locations to browse for properties closer to home.
Bournemouth, home to golden-sanded beaches at Alum Chine, Durley Chine and Bournemouth Central, took the crown.
Neighbouring Poole, home to the affluent Sandbanks peninsula, also featured on the list at number 10.
Bournemouth was followed by Eastbourne and Worthing, also on the south coast.
Scarborough in North Yorkshire came in fourth, while Weymouth came in fifth and Brighton sixth. Blackpool, Hastings and Southport rounded off the list.
In Britain as a whole, London was the most-searched location when properties for sale and to rent were combined.
This was followed by Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol and Edinburgh.
Smaller cities also featured, with historic York and Bath taking sixth and seventh place respectively.
Cornwall, Liverpool and Sheffield took the last three spots in the top 10.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: ‘With billions of minutes spent on Rightmove each year, we have a unique window into the nation’s passion for property.
‘From coastal escapes to overseas dream homes, this year’s most popular homes show that whether it’s a move or a moment of inspiration, people continue to love picturing their next move.’